A39669:1339
The Method of Grace
The method of grace, in bringing home the eternal redemption contrived by the Father, and accomplished by the Son through the effectual application of the spirit unto God's elect, being the second part of Gospel redemption : wherein the great mystery of our union and communion with Christ is opened and applied, unbelievers invited, false pretenders convicted, every mans claim to Christ examined, and the misery of Christless persons discovered and bewailed / by John Flavell ...The method of grace, in bringing home the eternal redemption contrived by the Father, and accomplished by the Son through the effectual application of the spirit unto God's elect, being the second part of Gospel redemption : wherein the great mysterie of our union and communion with Christ is opened and applied, unbelievers invited, false pretenders convicted, every mans claim to Christ examined, and the misery of Christless persons discovered and bewailed / by John Flavell ...
London: printed by M. White for Francis Tyton, 1681
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, The loveliness and excellency of all other things is but relative and respective, consisting in its reference to Christ, and subserviency to his glory; but Christ is lovely considered absolutely in himself: he is desirable for himself, other things are so for him.
Secondly, The loveliness and excellency of all other things is but relative and respective, consisting in its reference to Christ, and subserviency to his glory; but Christ is lovely considered absolutely in himself: he is desireable for himself, other things are so for him.
Thirdly, The beauty and loveliness of all other things is fading and perishing, but the loveliness of Christ is fresh to all eternity: the sweetness of the best of creatures is a Fading flower, if not before, yet certainly at death it must fade away, Job 4. 21. Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? Yes, yes, whether natural excellencies of the body, or acquired endowments of the mind, lovely features, amiable qualities, attracting excellencies: all these like pleasant flowers are withered, faded, and destroyed by death: but Christ is still the same, yesterday, to day and for ever, Heb. 13. 8.
Fourthly, The beauty and loveliness of creatures is ensna ring, and dangerous; a man may make an Idol of it, and dote beyond the bounds of moderation upon it: but there is no danger of excess in the love of Christ: the soul is then in the healthiest frame and temper, when it is most sick of love to Christ, Cant. 5. 8.